Ultra high frequency switch



July 12, 1949. J. o, SPmGGS 2,475,647

ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY SWITCH Filed June 15, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 k 3710M JAMES O. SPRIGGS July 12, 1949. J. o. SPRIGGS 7 7 ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY SWITCH 2 Shasta-Shed '2 Filed Juno 1:, 1945 l3 l2 23 2 2i H 44 r 24 1B1, 20

awua/ww JAMES O SPRIGGS WQWPL W atented July 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,475,647 ULTRA. HIGH FREQUENCY SWITCH James 0. Spriggs, Washington, D. 0. Application June 13, 1945, Serial No. 599,288

(01. 200-4) (Granted under the act 8 Claims.

This invention relates in general to ultra-high frequency radio apparatus and, more particularly to a novel arrangement of ultra-high-frequency switch for use in selectively coupling a pair of radio frequency transmission lines either singly or jointly, as desired, to a third and common radio frequency transmission line.

One object of the present invention is the alter hate connection of either of two fixed radio frequency transmission lines to a third and common fixed radio frequency transmission line by rotation of the switching element through a slight angle in either direction and the joint connection of said pair of transmission lines to said common transmission line solely by axial movement of the switching element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switching means capable of rotary motion in one plane for changing the connection of a common radio frequency transmission line from one to the other of a pair of radio frequency transmission lines, the switching means being arranged for reciprocation into a second and parallel plane to effect joint connection of said pair of transmission lines with the common transmission line.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple-action switch of the foregoing character in a single unit capable of making rapid changes in the aforesaid selective connection of a plurality of radio frequency coaxial transmission lines of the type used with ultra-high frequencies.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an end view of one practical form of switch assembly showing the generally Y-arrangement and disposition of the input and output radio-frequency transmission lines;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch assembly of Fig. 1, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. l, showing the movable switching member positioned at one end of the housing recess;

Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2 taken through the switch substantially along the line 2-2 thereof showing the movable switching member positioned at the other end of the housing recess;

Fig. i is a transverse section through the switch taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a partial section taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 shows the switching member of Fig. 5 rotated into operative position connecting one inof March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928;

put line to the common output transmission line; and

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view oi one of the plunger contact connector assemblies.

Referring now in detail to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, there is shown a switch assembly disposed on a support II, the switch device having three coaxial transmission line terminals It, It and 13 respectively arranged in a generally Y- formation around the periphery of its metallic housing It. As illustrated, the transmission line terminals iii, I2 and it each are disposed in a radial fashion with respect to the central cylindrical recess or chamber 15 of the housing it and leaving the housing substantially in one plane perpendicular to the common axis of the housing and the recess l5 midway between the planar end members. It and H enclosing the recess. As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the three transmission line terminals in addition to being arranged radially about a common axis have their inwardly directed ends terminating at the circumference of a circle having its center on said axis.

lviovablyv positioned within the recess I5 is the switching member in the form of a cylindrical metallic block N3 of shorter length than the cylindrical recess l5 of the housing. The bloclr iii is constructed and arranged for separate rotary and axial reclprocable movement relative to the recess is by means of shaft 21, the operation and purpose of which will be hereinafter described in greater detail, the position of the switching bloclr l8 shown in Fig. 2 being that obtained when it is retracted axially of the recess IS in an operative position for effecting joint connection of the pair of transmission line terminals l2 and it with the common transmission line terminal ill. Sliding movement of the block H! to bring the chamfered end IQ of the block substantially into abutting engagement with the inner end ll of the recess l5 also will .serve to axially shift the block it! bodily into its second operating position, as shown in Fig. 3. When it is in this innermost position, the block it also may be rotated by means of the shaft 21 through a limited angle such as, for example, 20 degrees in either direction to effect separate connection of input terminals l2 or is with output terminal Hi. Thus, clockwise rotation of the block l8 will bring the conductor 213 (Fig. 5) into position for establishing an electrical connection between the inner conductors 2i and 22 of transmission line terminals I0 and I2, as shown in Fig. 6. Conversely, counterclockwise 20 degree rotation of the block l8 will serve to move the conductor 24 of the block into operative position to connect conductors 2| and 23 of the transmission line terminals l and I3. It should be noted that when the block I8 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the conductors 25 and 26 are, as shown in Fig. 4, in position for connecting the inner conductor 2| oftransmission line terminal H3 simultaneouslywith the inner conductors 22 and 23 of the transmission line terminals l2 and 13. The positions to which the movable block may be shifted are predetermined by a detent mechanism comprising a screw" projecting through the housing I 4 into a plurality of slots in the movable block [8.

The conductors 120, 24, 25 and 25carried in the movable switch block l8 are insulatingly supported and substantially centered within four straight-through passages andend openings which lie in a plane which is at-right angles to the longitudinal axis of the block. Conductors and 24 are within passages and end openings whose axes are essentially'parallel; The conductors 25 and 26 lie within passages which diverge from a common opening on one side of the block l8 to two'openingswhich are separated widely on the other'side of'the' block, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

In accordance with the foregoing description, it will be seen thatthe cylindrical switch block I8 presents two sets of transmission linepassages therethrough opening at two different levels; the passages at one level being; parallel with their ends opening at opposite sides'ofsaidblock' while the transmission linepassa'ges'at the second level are angularly disposed with respect to each other and converge into communication with a common opening at the opposite side of said block from the location of 'the' individual openings of the respectively angularly arranged passages.

It is to be understood that the ends of the inner conductor mounted in each of the transmission line terminal connectors will be provided with resilient connector means (seeFig. '7) for making good electrical contact with theconductors carried by the movable block l8. For example, the ends of the transmission line innenconductors 2|, 22, and 23 may beprovided with spring biased contact plunger assemblies 30; one of'which is shown in detailin Fig. 7, to assure a satisfactory electrical connection of the transmission lines with the connecting conductors '20, 24, 25 and 26.

The switch above described is generally useful in connecting a transmission. line to any one or to all of a plurality of other transmission lines, and it also has specialapplication and is particularly useful. in connectinga radio receiver of the type used in radio direction finding equipment to either one or both of two receiving, antennas which characterize one type of direction finding system.

While there has been described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various-changesand modifications may be made therein without departing from the spiritof the invention,.and it is therefore, to be distinctly understood that no limitations are intended-other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims, as limited by the prior art.

The inventiondescribed herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America forgovernmental purposes without the payment of anyroyalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. An ultra-high frequency switch comprising,

a housing, a plurality of terminals attached [31 said housing for connecting thereto a plurality 0 radio frequency transmission lines, a movablr switching member within said housing, a pluralit: of short sections of radio frequency transmissior line carried by said switching member and ar ranged so as'to connect at'least a selected pair 0: transmission line terminals in each of severai positions which said movable switching member may occupy, said switching member being constructed and arranged so as to be capable of independent rotary and reciprocable motion intc selected positions for effecting the desired modification of electrical connecting of the plurality of transmission lines, and releasable connector means between said transmission line terminals and said switching member for establishing electrical connecting therebetween in any of the selected and adjusted positions of the switching member.

2. An ultra-high frequency switch comprising, a housing having a cylindrical recess therein, a plurality of terminals attached to said housing for connecting thereto a plurality of coaxial transmission lines, switching means including a movable cylindrical block within the recess of said housing, a plurality of short sections of coaxial transmission line within said block and movable therewith to connect at least a selected pair of transmission line terminals in each of several positions to which said movable block may be moved, said block being constructed and arranged so asto becapable of separate rotary and reciprocable motion to predetermined positions for efiecting the desired modification of connecting of the plurality of transmission lines, and releasable contact means for establishing electrical connecting between said transmission line terminals and said switching means.

3. A switch for connecting a plurality of coaxial transmission lines either singly or simultaneously with a common coaxial transmission line, comprising a movable block presenting two sets of transversely disposed cylindrical passages connecting one side of the said block with another, the passages of one set being in one plane and extending straight through the block in substantially parallel relationship, the other set of passages extending straight through the block and diverging from a common end opening on the one side to widely separated end openings on the other side, coaxial line conductors movable with said block and disposed within said transverse passages of said block, and support means including terminal connectors for maintaining said coaxial transmission lines in cooperating relation to said movable coaxial line conductors, said block being arranged for both rotary and reciprocal motion.

4. A switch comprising'a housing, a block rotatable and axially shiftable therein, said block having transverse passages therethrough, electrical conductors mounted in said passages and insulated from the block, said passages being straight through the block with their axes lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said block, two conductors being in one plane with their axes substantially parallel, another two being in a second plane longitudinally displaced from the first plane and divergent from a common point at one side of said block to points widely separated from each other at the opposite side of said block, support means for mounting the terminals of at least three transmission lines 1 correct operating position for contacting the nds of said conductors in the various positions aid block may occupy, and means for rotating or .xially shifting said block relative to said housmg to effect connection of said transmission lines :ither singly or jointly.

5. In a switch, the combination of at least ,hree electrical conductors arranged radially about a common axis and terminating at one end it the circumference of a circle having its center )ll said axis, and movable electrical conductor rneans arranged in cooperating relation to said three electrical conductors adapted to connect selectively two of said conductors either alternately or simultaneously with the third conductor, said movable conductor means being constructed and arranged to connect one of said conductors with the other two conductors alternately upon rotary movement of said movable conductor means about its axis, and to connect simultaneously one conductor with the other two of said conductors upon reciprocal movement of said movable conductor means along said axis.

6. A switch for connecting a plurality of trans-- mission lines either singly or simultaneously with a common transmission line comprising, a cylindrical block formed with two sets of transmission line passages therethrough opening at two dif ferent levels, the passages at one level being parallel with their ends opening at opposite sides of said block, the passages at the second level being angularly disposed with respect to each other and converging into communication with a common opening at the opposite side of said block from the location of the individual openings of the respective angularly arranged passages.

'7. An electric switch comprising, a housing with a cylindrical recess, electrical terminals disposed around the periphery of said housing, a movable block of shorter length than that of said recess permitting longitudinal movement of said block axially of said recess, means for insulatingly supporting two pairs of conductors extending trans versely through said block substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis thereof, the first pair of said conductors being contained within straight passages whose axes are substantially parallel, the other pair of said conductors being contained in passages extending from a common opening on one side of the block to widely spaced openings on the other side thereof, the connecting passages being straight through, and means operatively arranged for moving said conductors into selective or conjoint cooperating relation with said fixed electrical terminals.

8. In a switch, the combination of at least three electrical conductors each with an end grouped cylindrically about a common axis and extending radially therefrom and movable elec-- trical conductor means cooperating with and adapted to selectively connect two of said cylindrically grouped conductors either alternately or simultaneously with the third conductor, said movable conductor means being constructed and arranged to alternately connect one of said cylindrically grouped electrical conductors with the other two conductors of said group upon rotary movement about said common axis, and simultaneously connect the common cylindrically disposed conductor with the other two conductors of said group upon axial movement longitudinally with relation to said axis.

JAMES O. SPRIGGS.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

